Travel Deals for British Columbians Heading to the United Kingdom

By | December 27, 2011

If you’re planning a trip to the UK sometime in the near future and you’re wondering where to go, what to do, and looking for some really great deals, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find a huge amount of helpful information on how to make the most of your traveling money and some wonderful ideas on places to visit during your travels.

When booking a flight there are a few secrets to remember to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

 

1.Avoid booking your flight at the very last minute.

Southwest Airlines by Kevin Dooley

At times you can find exceptional last minute deals, but more often than not, you’re in a huge rush and you just don’t have the time to look for the best deal. You may worry that fares may go down closer to your travel date, but there are ways to get around this.

2.Search airline sites.

While travelers often assume they can get the best deals using a discount site, in reality this is becoming the exception, and not the norm. Airlines are getting savvier and saving the best deals for their sites.

3.Use a flexible fare search.

If travel dates aren’t a huge issue it’s best to search for flights using a range of dates instead of just a single departure and return date. You can get the best deals using this method.

4.Combine those weekend fares.

Construct your own itinerary and save money all once by scanning for connecting flights. Some discount sites do this for you, but if you’re using the airline site you’ll have to perform this trick yourself.

5.Check out hotel + airfare packages.

As long as you’re not booking at the last minute you may find that purchasing a package deal versus airfare alone will save you money in the long run. Since you need accommodations anyway this is a great way to save money.

6.Search for flights in the early am and on weekends.

Look for deals while other people are not. You can snag seats at very reasonable rates during off hours.

7.Check airline rates regularly.

Don’t assume that you’re getting a great deal by looking just one time. Check for airfares on multiple occasions and take note of any differences in pricing.

8.Buy two fares instead of just one.

With airfare, sometimes package deals aren’t always the best value. On many occasions checking the fares of connecting flights and purchasing them separately offers more savings. This is the same concept used in evaluating weekend fares.

9.Book flights that offer refunds if rates go down.

There’s no reason you should pay a higher price than someone who bought a ticket at a later date. You don’t have to settle for that look for flights that offer you this option. You can potentially save a great deal of money by doing this.

Stay and Save

Gleneagles Hotel by UK Country House Hotels & Spas

Accommodations can be a huge part of travel expenses. While most travelers want to find a quality place to stay, no one wants to invest nearly all of their money into a hotel room. Anyone can stay home and do that. We’ve listed several helpful hints for finding reasonable quality accommodations below.

Avoid Staying Near Cities and Tourist Attractions

It may be convenient for you to stay in a hotel near a major attraction and big cities offer a huge selection of entertainment options but you will pay far more for hotels in major locations. If you’ve rented a car, stay outside of town and drive in to the tourist attractions. Your hotel should be less than half the price of hotels in the city.

Enjoy Accommodations at Guest Houses and Bed and Breakfasts

What guest houses and B&Bs lack in size they almost always make up for in personal service. These places are also considerably cheaper.

Stay During the Off-Season

Book your stay in slower months and save a great deal. Business slows downs at certain times of the year making hotels and other venues more willing to offer considerable discounts.

Save Money by taking Advantage of Discount Passes

What's your Colour??? by law_kevenIf you travel to various locations and pay entry fees as you go this can add up rather quickly. There are many UK locations that offer discount passes to overseas visitors that will more than pay for their initial purchase price after just a few visits.

If you love castles and historic venues the English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass is the right choice for you. They offer options for purchase for single adults and family packages at reasonable rates and best of all, your visits are unlimited!

If you’re planning to stay in York, England you may want to invest in the York Travel Pass. With this pass you gain entrance to York’s major landmarks and purchase options are offered for singles and families.

If you’re planning on taking the train a bunch, look at some Eurail Passes for the United Kingdom and see if it’ll be cheaper and less hassle than other means of transportation. Often, it isn’t, but a lot of the time it can end up being a much smaller hassle.

Take Advantage of Free Attractions

The UK has numerous free attractions available. You can visit museums, parks, and zoos without paying any fees. You can find an alphabetized list of free attractions here!

Eat for Less

Another major expense for travelers is food. You can spend massive amounts of money on food alone if you’re not careful. Of course, an occasional treat shouldn’t be too expensive but your food expenses should be kept to a minimum if you want to have enough money for shopping and sightseeing.

Whenever you visit an area it’s wise to check out the local fare. Find copies of menus and check online for ratings on service and pricing. If you are staying in a place where you can prepare your own food you can save money by eating there.

It is possible to visit the UK without spending a small fortune. If you’re savvy and plan ahead, you can create you’re a memorable trip that you’ll be talking about for years to come.


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